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Membrane

a technology of membranes and membranes, applied in the field of membranes, can solve the problems of loss of vision in the central area of vision, more serious vision loss, inability to see fine details, read or recognise faces, etc., and achieve the effect of reducing the likelihood of cells de-differentiating

Active Publication Date: 2011-09-29
UCL BUSINESS PLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a membrane for supporting the growth of cells that can be used to treat retinal degeneration. The membrane is non-biodegradable and porous, with a pore size between 0.2 μm and 0.5 μm. The membrane allows for the diffusion of nutrients and proteins while preventing the migration of cells. The membrane has a maximum thickness of approximately 11 μm and a maximum weight of approximately 1.5 mg / cm2. The membrane can be sterilized and sealed with other layers. It is hydrophilic and has a pH of 4 to 8. The membrane is coated on at least one side with a coating containing laminin. The technical effects of this invention include improved cell growth and vascularization, as well as reduced inflammation and angiogenic response.

Problems solved by technology

This results in the loss of vision in the central area of vision, particularly an inability to see fine details, to read or to recognise faces.
The wet form of the disease usually leads to more serious vision loss.
This leakage causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells, which die off and create blind spots in central vision.
Treatments for AMD are at present limited, but some treatments may delay its progression or improve vision.
Whilst this is effective, there is a limit to the size of the affected area that can be treated and the operation is long and inappropriate for most elderly patients.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

Preparation of the Membrane

[0043]Thin polyester film is exposed to collimated, charged particles from a nuclear reactor. As these particles pass through the polyester material, they leave sensitized tracks. Next, the polymer tracks are dissolved with an etching solution to form cylindrical pores. Varying the temperature and strength of the etching solution, and the exposure time to it, produces precisely controlled pore sizes.

[0044]The resulting membrane is a thin, translucent, microporous polyester film with a smooth, flat surface containing pores of controlled diameter and number.

Production of Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells (hRPE) from Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC)

Cell Culture

[0045]The hESC are maintained in flasks coated with 0.1% Gelatine and seeded with mitomycin C inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeders (with seeding density of 1.2×104 / cm2) or equivalent human fibroblast feeders. Cells are maintained in basic HESC-medium which consists of the followi...

example 2

Seeding Membranes

[0057]RPE cells were seeded onto membranes at various densities to find the optimal density of seeding for highly differentiated cells. The cells were observed for the characteristics of RPE cells, such as pigmentation and cobblestone morphology. The results are shown in the following table:

Microscopic ExaminationNo. ofPigmentedRegularSeedingPigmentationcells per 40xMorphologyDensityAs seen withmicroscopic(Perfect Hexagon(cell / cm2)naked eyefieldis best = zero)*70,000Nil16Cells too sparse tocalculate212,000Light>4000.023270,000Dark (good)>4000.024391,000Darkest (best)>5000.0175

example 3

Growing Cells on Different Membranes

[0058]A number of different membranes were tested for ability to support cell growth. The results are given in the following table:

TeflonPoly-TC PolystyrenePLGA(PTFE)urethanesDacron PolyesterProsExcellent wellGoodStrong,Strong,Strong, flexible,characterisedgrowthflexible,flexibe,sufficiently porousgrowth surfacesurfaceporousporousexcellent growthsurface. Pore sizesmall enough toexclude cellmigration of bothdonor and hostimmune cells.Excellent surgicalhandling propertiesdespite being verythin (see thickness)ThicknessThin film700-90090-150 μm60-200 μm5-12 μmunavailableμm†Pore sizeN / A17-50 μmApprox.20-200 μm0.4 μm0.3-0.5 μmPoreN / AHighHighLow1 × 10{circumflex over ( )}8 per cm2densityHydro-NoNoStrongNoNophobicityCellHighHighVery LowLow-HighaffinityMedium

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PUM

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Abstract

The invention relates to a membrane for supporting cells, especially RPE cells. The membrane is useful in the treatment of conditions such as age related macular degeneration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a membrane for supporting the growth of cells. Also, the invention relates to methods for growing the cells, producing the membrane and using the cells. In particular the cells may be used in the treatment of age related macular degeneration.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition found in elderly adults in which the macula area of the retina suffers thinning, atrophy and bleeding. This results in the loss of vision in the central area of vision, particularly an inability to see fine details, to read or to recognise faces.[0003]AMD is classified as either dry (non-neovascular) or wet (neovascular). Wet AMD involves the growth of new blood vessels in an area where they are not supposed to be. The dry form is more common than the wet, with about 85-90 percent of AMD patients diagnosed with dry AMD. The wet form of the disease usually leads to more serious vision loss.[0004]Dry AMD is an...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61K9/70C12N5/07A61K35/12A61P27/02C12N5/071
CPCA61K35/12A61L27/3804A61L27/3813A61K35/30C12N2533/30A61K9/0048C12N5/0621A61P27/02C12N11/08A61F2/14
Inventor COFFEY, PETERDA CRUZ, LYNDONCHEETHAM, KAREN
Owner UCL BUSINESS PLC
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